Chapter 5

The Leaf Nin Meet

"Amazing" Brushing the foliage out of the way, the three walked through the trees, taking in as much as they could from the scenery as the sun started setting, giving the greenery a reddish tint. Rai'guy put his paw against a tree and smiled making his companions look back at him again. "This place. It's so peaceful compared to Konoha or Otogakure. I could get used to being here."

"Yes. We get it. Now let's keep moving." The cat's tone portrayed the slight annoyance on his face as Neji leaned against a tree, while Lee looked over to their right. The hare's ears stood up as he concentrated on something.

"What is it, Lee?"

They followed his eyes and saw that an otter teen in the middle of a small band of foxes, while others relaxed in the sun. They were poking the scared kid with their weapon points, laughing as it tried to shy away from the cruel vermin. The babe's cries reached their ears as the two Leaf nin moved forward but the other fighter held up his hand. "Me first. Get to better positions."

Neji scowled but disappeared into the trees, followed by the hare as the canine reached for the large sword on his back. Pulling it out of it's holster, he smiled and grabbed it with both paws and set it in front of him. The heavy sword sunk it's point into the ground as the rouge spat into his pads and took one more look before lifting the sword straight out in front of him. He started his turn, going in a slow circle as he sped up faster and faster, the two others staying respectively out of range of the coming attack. Going faster and faster he grunted and let it go, dragging his foot to stop his momentum and disappears. The spinning sword hummed as it flew, chopping straight through trees as it headed for it's targets.

"Hey, mates. I'm tired of pokin' da meal. Lets cook 'er." The other foxes in the circle agreed and the leader, a big, burly black fox, lifted up his massive two-headed ax and raised it above his head as he steadied it with his foot. The kid looked up as the foxes grinned and she closed her eyes as a flash of silver crosses her sight. After a moment, the pup opened her eyes to see the shocked expressions of the foxes before they fell apart. Over her instead was instead two creatures, the captain fox holding a silver sword that was protruding out of his chest and a tall thin dog pulling out the sword from the dead vermin and kicking it away. The warrior looked down at her and she grabbed his leg and started sobbing hard, feeling some comfort in his presence as he reached down and lifted her off his leg, kneeling down so she can grab his shoulders tightly.

"It's ok, kid. You're safe now." He patted and rubbed her furry back as he picked her up and held the otter to his chest as the other two appeared and wiped off their clothes, obviously have taken care of the rest. Neji checked her back and sides and smirked. "No damage to her as far as I see, apart from some bruises and scratches. What should we do with her?"

"I'll take her with us. Maybe the people in the big building can help us. You wanna come with us, kid?" The otter smiled and buried her head in his chest as they nodded and hopped into the trees. She gasped as she felt the wind as they hopped from branch to branch faster than a squirrel could climb a tree and smiled as they stopped in the branches and looked into the Redwall Abbey.

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Friar Nolsto was a large jolly fat hedgehog, as were most of his fellow cooks as they put the finishing touches upon the meal as Porthos, Naruto and Sakura entered the hot kitchens. The Friar dusted off his hands on his dirty apron and waddled over. "Father Abbot! We're almost done, so what brings you here?"

The elder gestured to the two beside him. "These two are going to be your helpers for tonight. Have them do some help cleaning up and cooking a bit then if you can, give them a good tour of the Abbey."

Sakura tapped the Abbot's shoulder. "Excuse me. Are you saying that we have to earn our food?"

Porthos smiled up to her. "Yes my dear. Everyone helps out in our Abbey, from gathering food to preparing it for the table and to clean out dishes. Chores are shared for a better lifestyle for all."

Naruto pouted. "But that stuff is ladies work." Sakura's glare when she turned around stopped any further complaints.

Nolsto laughed, his belly jiggling like jello. "Thank you, Father Abbot. I'll give 'em a good workout!" He put his arms around their shoulders and pulled them with him. After getting them to wash their hands, Nolsto pointed to an enormous cake sitting on a table, covered with red icing and with several little mint leaves and nut pieces on it. "Think that you two can be mates and take that Redwall cake to the tables in the Great Hall? I'll get you help if ya need it."

Naruto and Sakura grinned. "We got it." "Sakura, you get underneath and we'll take the edges." Sakura grabbed the plate and slid the entire dish to the edge while the fox crossed his fingers. "Shadow Clone Justu!" Six Naurto's appeared and helped take the plate off the table, Nolsto watching in amazement as they moved it near the doorway. "Where should we put it?" Sakura grunted from underneath the dish.

Nostro stared and stammered, "th-th-The tables in the G-g-great Hall." Naruto nodded and soon, they had it there, Naruto shaking his head as the table the pair set it on sag a little. "That's a big cake. What the fat cook say it was called again?"

Sakura wiped her brow and sighed. "A Redwall Cake. I bet it might taste good too. But anyway, do you think any of the others are in this land, Naruto? Naruto?" She looked at where he was and noticed the empty spot. A twitch came to her eye as she looked around very annoyed. "Naruto, where the hell are you, you Idiot?"

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The fox looked upon a large tapestry draping the walls, depicting battles within the woods and of fighting of vermin, but the one thing that caught the genin's eye is the central figure that the evil creatures fled from: An armored mouse holding a magnificent sword. "The mouse in armor! That's him. But, who is he? Who are you?"

"Talking to Martin? You young ones seem to always look for answers. But then, so do us elders, too." An old hedgehog, the spines on his back turned white with age, came out tapping the floor with a stick. He slowly made his way over to Naruto, who noticed the creamy white eyes and bowed respectfully. "Now, who might you be, young one? Wait, let me see you a little better." The old creature lifted his paw up to Naruto's face and started lightly tapping against his fur. "Ah, a young fox? Now, tell me your name."

"Naruto Uzumaki. Um, are you blind or something, sir?" The hedgehog laughed at the blunt question and patted the boy's shoulder.

"Yes, I have lost my sight many seasons ago, but I never let it bother me, like many other creatures. I am Aramis, the former Abbot of Redwall. Now, what brings you to our home, Naruto?"

Naruto spent a good portion of the afternoon telling his tale to Aramis, who nodded and listened, asked only a few questions for clarification, and as the inhabitants of Redwall gathered for supper, the fox finished. "For one so young, you have had more in your life then most who lived here in many generations. You sound very hungry. Let's go and eat."

The mass of people grouped at the tables, taking their seats in front of the masses of food as the two joined the group. Several of the inhabitants stared at the nine-tailed fox as he sat down next to Sakura, who punched him in the face and knocked him off the bench. "Thanks for helping me take the rest of the dishes out, Naruto!" The fox rubbed the black eye that was rapidly forming on his face and got back, smiling ruefully. The conversations buzzed around the tables until Father Porthos rose and rang a small silver bell. The two quests looked about and bowed their heads along with the masses as the elder mouse began the prayer:

"Fate and Seasons smile on all,

From sunrise to the dark nightfall,

This bounty from earth and tree,

Was made to share, twixt you and me,

To Mother Nature let us say,

Our thanks, for life and health this day."

There was a mighty Amen, then the little bell rang again and the dinner commenced in earnest.

The meal was jovial, dishes shared and passed about, both sweet and tasty. October Ale, Strawberry Cordial, tarts, flans, pies, and puddings, all served then replaced with fresh delights from the kitchens. Turnovers, trifles, breads, fondants, salads, pastries, and cheeses traveled with beakers of greensap milk, mint tea, and elderberry wine. Naruto began sharing a massive fruitcake with Brother Daydoor, a young door mouse with a gold streak down his fur, and the Foremole, each taking massive slices while washing it down with mint tea. "Sakura! This food is amazing!" He said through a mouth full of cake.

She nodded, her mouth stuffed with a strawberry flan. Beside her, two Dibbuns used two big salad spoons to scoop up a deeper'n'ever pie, their faces covered in blueberry juice.

"Hey Brother! Pass over those scones!"

"Mmff, hold on. Ahh, here you go. Here, pass me a slice of the cake."

"Harr, pass me some more of the Hotroot pepper. I'll spice up this soup for you. It'll put the sparkle in yer eye, missie!"

"Thanks Skipper. Oooooohhh! Tooo hot! Water!" The burley otter laughed uproariously, along with a few others as the vole maid quickly gulped down a big glass of water and quickly refilled it to quench the burning feeling in her mouth.

The meal continued on until one of the Dibbuns, the haremaid came running up to Memnon and pulled on his smock. "Mem! Mem! Der's a few creatures at the door!"

The badger nodded. "Now you get back to your seat, Sky." As the babe went back to her meal, the badger stood up and excused himself, heading for the door. He opened the wood door to Rai'guy, holding the otterpup with Rock Lee and Neji leaning on the warm stones. "May I help you?"

"Good evening, sir. We're lost and we found this pup after rescuing her from a band of foxes. We could have some help on knowing where we are." The Renagade smiled, the otter waving at the large badger

"So you're lost, too? We have two others here who have also lost their way. We're in the middle of a meal, so come in and get something to eat." The badger stepped aside, keeping an eye on the odd jackal as he set the now excited otter on the ground and let her run in before them.

"Thank you, sir." The three walked in under the eyes of the badger, who noted their strange clothing like Naruto and Sakura's, then followed them back to the Great Hall. Naruto was in the middle of his third piece of cake when Neji and Lee walked in and he looked up and waved, swallowing the food in his mouth. "Neji! Bushy-brows!"

Sakura stood up and waved also, glad to see friends. "Lee! Neji! How did you get here?"

Lee smiled and waved back, while Neji nodded. "Sakura! Naruto! It's good to see you two again."

Rai'guy stayed to the side and let the friends take their seats as he sat next to the ottercub. "So, do you have a name, miss? Where's your family? Do you have a home?" His words fell on deaf ears as the little lady began piling her plate with food and began eating like there was a famine in the near future. He sighed and leaned on the table "I'll ask later. All I wanted is get to Konoha, not get caught up in another adventure."